Aspandyar Gotla’s (pictured) 2023 translation into English of Bundehesh: History of Creation of the Gujarati text by Ervad Jivanji Jamshedji Modi published in 1901was accomplished after many years of trying to locate the earlier version. Modi had translated the ancient Persian story of creation from the original Pahlavi/Persian. Gotla eventually chanced upon Modi’s book in Navsari’s First Meherjirana Library and was fortunate to obtain a copy.
In his preface Gotla, a chartered accountant by profession, writes that most Parsis are not even aware of the existence of this gem in which the concept of creation has been explained from beginning to end; and "at times it mentions things which are unimaginable and unbelievable in the present times.” It has been his endeavor to spread awareness of this "ancient treasure of literature which has been lying undiscovered until now,” which is why he decided that his slim 60-page volume in A4 size would be distributed free of cost.
The story goes that Ahura Mazda through his omniscience came to know that Ahriman was thwarting his plans to bring brightness and light to dispel the forces of darkness. Ahura Mazda extended the hand of friendship to Ghanamino, the evil spirit, which the latter rejected out of jealousy. So Ahura Mazda made a pact with Ghanamino, fixing a time limit of 9,000 years. He knew that his wishes would be observed for 3,000 years; during the next 3,000 years both his and Ghanamino’s word would prevail; and the last 3,000 would see the destruction of demons and the victory of the power of good.
Ahura Mazda created sky, water, land, trees and plantations, cattle and finally mankind. The spirit of evil tried to subvert this universe by quarreling with the planets, earth, water, vegetation. But the mountains, seas and crops prospered. When mankind was created, Ahura Mazda said, "You are human beings and masters of the world. You have been created by me as the best creation endowed with the power of thinking. Do religious deeds… Think good thoughts, speak good words and do good deeds. Do not worship demons.” He gave them fire whose energies helped the world to progress.
Ahura Mazda taught mankind that religion should be in harmony with nature and that the day should begin with sunrise and end with sunset. There are six gahanbars spread over each year which comprises 365 days.
The story of creation dwells on the origin of the Kyani dynasty, the advent of the priesthood and also details how the soul has to cross Chinvat Pul to progress once life on earth is over.
Pahlavi scholar Ervad (Dr) Pervez Bajan, who was enlisted to go through the manuscript, has written in his foreword that the book is "a Zoroastrian cosmogony, an account of the origin of the creations of the spiritual and material worlds and creatures, their nature, characteristics and functions. Evidently, the book is based on the Damdat Nask, no longer extant. The book deals with ancient Iranian history, geography, traditions, astronomy, astrology, natural science and a number of other subjects.”
It is the hope of both Bajan and Gotla that seekers of knowledge in the community would benefit from reading this ancient Zoroastrian esoteric religious text.
S. V.